Aerial safety system

ABSTRACT

An apparatus to assist with placing a climbing device and safety tether into a tree or other tall upwardly extending object and then securing the climbing device and safety tether to that object, by use of a gripping ring dimensioned to substantially encircle the object and having gripping members disposed along its inner surface to engage with the object, where the gripping ring has a climbing device attachment component to attach the climbing device, such as a ladder or a rope, to the gripping ring, a safety tether attachment component to attach the safety tether to the gripping ring, and a positioning device attachment component to allow a positioning device, such as a pole, to be used to properly position the gripping ring.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of safety equipment. More particularly, the present invention is directed to safety equipment related to tree stands and other devices where persons may be involved in activities above the ground, such as utility pole linemen.

2. Description of Prior Art

The use of tree stands is a popular method for hunting game animals. A tree stand, comprising a platform suitably adapted to support one or more hunters, is placed in a tree and secured thereto. A climbing device is used to gain access to the tree stand. The climbing device may be a rope, a ladder, rungs embedded into the tree, or other suitable means to ascend into the tree stand. The tree stand itself typically comprises safety devices, both to secure the tree stand to the tree and the hunter to the tree stand. Alternatively, the hunter may be secured directly to the tree once in the tree stand. The hunter ascends the tree using the climbing device and enters the tree stand, whereupon the hunter waits for a suitable game animal to approach.

Once a tree stand is secured to a tree and all applicable safety devices are in place, the hunter is relatively safe ascending the tree and remaining in the tree stand. However, placing the tree stand in the tree in the first instance as well as initially placing the climbing device has always been dangerous. Typically, the hunter would have to climb the tree, with no safety devices, and then haul up the components of the tree stand and climbing device. During this period of time the hunter would be at heightened risk of falling out of the tree.

One method of providing safety to a climber during the installation of the tree stand and climbing device is to provide incremental safety during the first ascent of the tree. For example, much like a rock climber, the climber ascending the tree could insert a piton or other fixed object into the tree while still relatively low to the ground, attach a safety line to the fixed object, and then climb higher into the tree. This process is repeated as elevation is gained, as many times as needed. While this method does provide safety, it is slow and requires the placement of fixed objects all along the trunk of the tree.

Another method involves placing a ladder against the tree and securing it to the tree, usually by a set of straps encircling the tree. By necessity, the first securing strap will be placed around the tree at a low level; the climber will then climb the partially secured ladder and place another securing strap higher up, and then repeat the process as elevation is gained. Again, this method is slow and exposes the climber to a degree of danger when the ladder is only partially secured to the tree.

What these methods lack, and what is needed, is a means for securing a safety device to a tree at a high level above the ground while the climber is still safely on the ground. Such a method should also be easy and quick to use, and should not require permanent attachment to the tree.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a safety device that can be placed high in a tree by a user remaining safely on the ground.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a safety device that is easy to use.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a safety device that is quick to use.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a safety device that does not permanently attach to the tree.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a safety device that is inexpensive to manufacture.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a safety device that may be used on other tall objects, such as utility poles.

Other objects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the description that follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a safety device that may be placed in and secured to a tree or other tall object, such as a utility pole, at a high level above the ground while the user remains on the ground. The safety device comprises a gripping ring which is shaped to substantially encircle at least a majority portion of the circumference of the tree. The gripping ring comprises interior oriented gripping members which engage with the tree. When the gripping ring is placed around the tree and the gripping members engage with the tree, the gripping members prevent the gripping ring from moving relative to the tree. A safety tether, attached to the gripping ring, is secured to the climber. The climber uses a climbing device which is also attached to the gripping ring to ascend the tree. The weight of the climber on the climbing device provides a downward force on the gripping member, firmly setting it into the tree. The safety tether provides immediate safety to the climber, beginning from before the ascent is commenced and continuing for the duration of the ascent. The gripping ring can be placed into the tree by use of any suitable elongate device, such as a pruning hook or a telescoping pole.

In one embodiment the gripping ring is comprised of two movable arms which can be placed in an open state, allowing the ring to be easily placed around the tree, and a closed state, in which the arms of the gripping ring are brought together to create a tighter fit of the gripping ring around the tree trunk. Variations of this embodiment provide for automatic movement of the arms of the gripping member into the open and closed states and for remote activation of this movement. Yet other variations provide for a latching mechanism integrated with the gripping ring that allows the relative positions of the arms of the gripping ring to be locked in relation to each other, either in an open state (to facilitate installation of the gripping ring into the tree) or in a closed state (to secure the gripping ring to the tree).

Other features and advantages of the present invention are described below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 shown with the gripping ring in the open state.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ends of the first and second arms of the gripping ring of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of the locking pin of one embodiment of the latching mechanism.

FIG. 4B is a front plan view of the locking pin spring of the embodiment of the latching mechanism depicted in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a front plan cut-away view of the locking pin housing of the embodiment of the latching mechanism depicted in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4D is a side plan view of the release member of the embodiment of the latching mechanism depicted in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4E is a top plan view of the release member of the embodiment of the latching mechanism depicted in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4F is a front plan view of the release member of the embodiment of the latching mechanism depicted in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4G is a front perspective cut-away view of the assembled latching mechanism comprising the components depicted in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D.

FIG. 5A is a side cut-away view of the latching mechanism of FIG. 4G with the release member positioned to place the latching mechanism in the unlocked mode.

FIG. 5B is a side cut-away view of the latching mechanism of FIG. 4G with the release member depicted as being moved in a first direction, allowing the locking pin to move downward to place the latching mechanism in the locked mode.

FIG. 6 is a stylized depiction of one embodiment of the invention being placed in a tree (for completeness, the anchoring device and safety tether are also shown, though they would not be engaged until after the device was placed in the tree).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises an apparatus 1 to assist with placing a climbing device 30 and safety tether 40 into a tree 10 or other high object and securing the climbing device 30 and safety tether 40 thereto. See FIG. 6. The apparatus 1 comprises a gripping ring 100 suitably adapted to be attached to both the climbing device 30 and the safety tether 40, such that when the gripping ring 100 is placed in the tree 10 (for the sake of simplicity, all further references to a “tree” should be understood to pertain to any like object, such as utility poles) and secured thereto the climbing device 30 and safety tether 40 are also secured thereto.

The gripping ring 100 is substantially rigid and shaped and dimensioned to substantially encircle a tree 10, extending a minimum of 270 degrees. See FIG. 1. As such it forms an open interior. The gripping ring 100 may be of a regular shape, such as ovoid, square, hexagonal, or the like, or of an irregular shape, as desired. The preferred embodiment discloses a gripping ring 100 that is substantially circular. It may be constructed of any suitably durable and rigid material. In the preferred embodiment it is constructed of steel, though other materials may also be used, such as aluminum, high impact plastic, carbon fiber, composites, and the like.

The gripping ring 100 may be monolithic, without moving components. In such a configuration, the gripping ring 100 must be an open ring, so that the gripping ring 100 can be placed around a tree 10 by moving the opening of the gripping ring 100 over the tree 10. The smaller the opening the more secure the gripping ring 100. However, if the opening is too small the apparatus 1 will not be useful for use with larger trees 10.

In the preferred embodiments the gripping ring 100 is comprised of a first arm 110, a second arm 120, and a pivot member 130, with the first arm 110 being in pivotal connection with the second arm 120 by the pivot member 130, such that the first and second arms 110,120 are capable of moving in relation to each other. See FIG. 2. Each of the arms 110,120 has a first end and a second end 114,124, with the respective first ends in connection with the pivot member 130. In these embodiments the gripping ring 100 may also be an open ring, but the size of the opening need not be a limiting factor in the use of the apparatus 1, as the opening can be widened by pivoting the first and second arms 110,120 away from each other to allow the gripping ring 100 to be placed around a large tree 10, and then the opening can be narrowed by pivoting the first and second arms 110,120 towards each other. In the most preferred embodiments the gripping ring 100 is a closed ring, and the gripping ring 100 has a closed state and an open state. The closed state of the gripping ring 100 is an orientation of the first and second arms 110,120 of the gripping ring 100 such that the second end 114 of the first arm 110 comes in contact with the second end 124 of the second arm 120, and the open state of the gripping ring 100 is an orientation of the first and second arms 110,120 of the gripping ring 100 such that the second end 114 of the first arm 110 is apart from the second end 124 of the second arm 120. In other embodiments where the gripping ring 100 is an open ring, the closed state of the gripping ring 100 is an orientation of the first and second arms 110,120 of the gripping ring 100 such that the second end 114 of the first arm 110 is in closest proximity to the second end 124 of the second arm 120, and the open state of the gripping ring 100 is an orientation of the first and second arms 110,120 of the gripping ring 100 such that the second end 114 of the first arm 110 is further away from the second end 124 of the second arm 120 than when the gripping ring 100 is in the closed state.

In the preferred embodiment the second end 114 of the first arm 110 of the gripping ring 100 engages with the second end 124 of the second arm 120 of the gripping ring 100 when the gripping ring 100 is in the closed state. This may be accomplished by the second end 114 of the first arm 110 of the gripping ring 100 having a substantially hollow interior 116 and an end aperture 118 allowing access into the interior 116. The second end 124 of the second arm 120 of the gripping ring 100 is suitably adapted to be inserted into the interior 116 of the second end 114 of the first arm 110 through the end aperture 118 of the first arm 110. See FIG. 3. The second end 124 of the second arm 120 may be frictionally secured to the second end 114 of the first arm 110. In the most preferred embodiment the second end 124 of the second arm 120 is mechanically secured to the second end 114 of the first arm 110. Alternatively, the second end 124 of the second arm 120 of the gripping ring 100 may have a substantially hollow interior and an end aperture allowing access into the interior. The second end 114 of the first arm 110 of the gripping ring 100 is suitably adapted to be inserted into the interior of the second end 124 of the second arm 110 through the end aperture of the second arm 120. The second end 114 of the first arm 110 may be frictionally secured to the second end 124 of the second arm 120. The second end 114 of the first arm 110 may also be mechanically secured to the second end 124 of the second arm 120.

In the embodiments in which the gripping ring 100 comprises both a first and second arm 110,120, the pivoting movement of the arms 110,120 in relation to each other may be facilitated by a ring spring 150. The ring spring 150 is connected at one end to the first arm 110 of the gripping ring 100 proximate to the first end of the first arm 110 and on the inside of the gripping ring 100, and connected at its other end to the second arm 120 proximate to the first end of the second arm 120. So connected, the ring spring 150 is suitably adapted to bias the second end 114 of the first arm 110 toward the second end 124 of the second arm 120, thereby moving the second ends 114,124 of the first and second arms 110,120 relative to each other, assisting with placing the gripping ring 100 in the closed state. See FIGS. 1 and 2.

When a ring spring 150 is used, it may be desirable to temporarily oppose the biasing capability of the ring spring 150 so that the gripping ring 100 may be retained in the open state. In such cases the gripping ring 100 further comprises a retention assembly 160. The retention assembly 160 is located on the outside of the gripping ring 100 and is suitably adapted to hold the first arm 110 of the gripping ring 100 in fixed relation to the second arm 120 of the gripping ring 100 in opposition to the biasing tendency of the ring spring 150. The retention assembly 160 is further adapted to be capable of releasing the first arm 110 from the second arm 120, thereby permitting the ring spring 150 to move the second ends 114,124 of the first and second arms 110,120 of the gripping ring 100 relative to each other. In the preferred embodiment the retention assembly 160 comprises a hook 162 and eye 164, with the hook 162 attached to the outside of the first arm 110 of the gripping ring 100 and the eye 164 attached to the outside of the second arm 120 of the gripping ring 100, with the hook 162 having an end suitably adapted to removably engage with the eye 164. See FIGS. 1 and 2. The retention assembly 160 may also be adapted to be operated remotely to release the first arm 110 from the second arm 120. For example, a cord may be attached to the hook component 162 of the retention assembly 160. When the retention assembly 160 is desired to be disengaged, the cord is pulled so that the hook 162 disengages from the eye component 164 of the retention assembly 160.

In alternate embodiments, one end of the ring spring 150 is connected to the first arm 110 of the gripping ring 100 while the second end of the ring spring 150 is removably attached to the second arm 120 of the gripping ring 100. The attachment point of the second end of the ring spring 150 may be on either the inside of the second arm 120 or on the outside. When the second end of the ring spring 150 is attached to the inside of the second arm 120 the ring spring 150 acts to bias the gripping ring 100 to the closed state, as described above. However, when the second end of the ring spring 150 is attached to the outside of the second arm 120 the ring spring 150 acts to bias the second end 114 of the first arm 110 of the gripping ring 100 away from the second end 124 of the second arm 120 of the gripping ring 100, thus moving the gripping ring 100 to the open state. This bias towards the open state is particularly useful when the apparatus 1 is ready to be removed from the tree 10, as it facilitates movement of the first and second arms 110,120 apart from each other.

The gripping ring 100 may further comprise a spring tensioner 190. The spring tensioner 190 is in connection with the ring spring 150 and is suitably adapted to either increase or decrease the tension of the ring spring 150. When the tension in the ring spring 150 is increased the ring spring 150 exerts a greater biasing tendency and when the tension in the ring spring 150 is decreased the ring spring 150 exerts less biasing tendency. Increasing biasing tendency facilitates movement of the first and second arms 110,120 of the gripping ring 100 in relation to each other, while lessened biasing tendency facilitates easier removal and attachment of the second end of the ring spring 150 to the second arm 120 of the gripping ring 100, as described above.

In the embodiments in which the gripping ring 100 comprises a first and second arm 110,120, the gripping ring 100 may further comprise a latching mechanism 200. See FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. The latching mechanism 200 is suitably adapted to be placed in a locked mode and in an unlocked mode. The locked mode is a state in which the first and second arms 110,120 of the gripping ring 100 are maintained by the latching mechanism 200 in fixed relation to each other. The unlocked mode is a state in which the first and second arms 110,120 of the gripping ring 100 are able to move in relation to each other. The latching mechanism 200 is placed into locked mode once the gripping ring 100 is placed in the tree 10, to ensure that the first and second arms 110,120 of the gripping ring 100 do not inadvertently move apart. Once the climber 20 is out of the tree 10 and the apparatus 1 is desired to be removed, the latching mechanism 200 is placed in the unlocked mode. In the preferred embodiments the latching mechanism 200 comprises a means for remotely placing the latching mechanism 200 into the locked mode and into the unlocked mode. In these embodiments, as soon as the gripping ring 100 is correctly placed into the tree 10, and before the climber 20 has begun the ascent of the tree 10, the latching mechanism 200 may be remotely placed into the locked mode. Similarly, the climber 20 may be safely on the ground before remotely placing the latching mechanism 200 into the unlocked mode. In yet other embodiments, the latching mechanism 200 is automatically placed into the locked mode when the gripping ring 100 is placed into the closed state. Thus, for example, where a ring spring 150 and retention assembly 160 are used, before placing the gripping ring 100 in the tree 10 the latching mechanism 200 is set to the unlocked mode, the gripping ring 100 is placed in the open state, and the retention assembly 160 is engaged. Once the gripping ring 100 has been properly positioned in the tree 10 the retention assembly 160 is remotely disengaged, allowing the ring spring 150 to bias the gripping ring 100 to the closed state and causing the latching mechanism 200 to be placed in the locked mode, thereby safely securing the gripping ring 100 to the tree 10.

In the most preferred embodiments, the latching mechanism 200 comprises a locking pin 210, see FIG. 4A, a locking pin housing 220, see FIG. 4C, a locking pin spring 230, see FIG. 4B, a first locking aperture 240, see FIG. 4C, and a second locking aperture 250, see FIG. 3. The locking pin 210 is substantially rigid and elongate, having a shaft 212 and a head 214 at a first end of the shaft 212, and an insertion point 216 at a second end of the shaft 212 opposite the first end. See FIG. 4A. The locking pin 210 must be rigid and made of a high strength material. The locking pin housing 220 may be substantially cylindrical or configured with substantially planar sides, as long as it has an open interior 222 suitably adapted to accommodate the shaft 212 of the locking pin 210. Moreover, the locking pin shaft 212 must be allowed to move within the interior 222 of the locking pin housing 220. The locking pin housing 220 is located on and fixedly attached to the second end 114 of the first arm 110 of the gripping ring 100. See FIG. 3. The head 214 of the locking pin 210 is located outside the locking pin housing 220 at the end of the locking pin housing 220 distal from its attachment point to the gripping ring 100. The locking pin spring 230 is located within the interior 222 of the locking pin housing 220 and encircles the locking pin 210 when the locking pin 210 is inserted into the locking pin housing 220. See FIG. 4G. The locking pin spring 230 is compressed between the top of the locking pin housing 220 and a locking pin spring post 232 extending from the locking pin shaft 212, thereby biasing the locking pin 210 towards the gripping ring 100. The first locking aperture 240 is formed into the second end 114 of the first arm 110 of the gripping ring 100, adjacent to the locking pin housing 220 and in communication with the interior 222 of the locking pin housing 220. The first locking aperture 240 is suitably dimensioned to accommodate the insertion point 216 of the locking pin 210. The second locking aperture 250 is formed into the second end 124 of the second arm 120 of the gripping ring 100. The second locking aperture 250 is suitably dimensioned to accommodate the insertion point 216 of the locking pin 210. So configured, the latching mechanism 200 is placed in the unlocked mode by movement of the locking pin shaft 212 within the locking pin housing 220 away from the gripping ring 100 such that the insertion point 216 of the locking pin 210 is withdrawn from the second locking aperture 250, thereby enabling the second end 114 of the first arm 110 of the gripping ring 100 to disengage from the second end 124 of the second arm 120 of the gripping ring 100. See FIG. 5A. The latching mechanism 200 is placed in the locked mode when the second end 114 of the first arm 110 of the gripping ring 100 is engaged with the second end 124 of the second arm 120 of the gripping ring 100 and the locking pin spring 230 biases the locking pin shaft 212 within the locking pin housing 220 toward the gripping ring 100 such that the insertion point 216 of the locking pin 210 extends into and through the first locking aperture 240 and into the second locking aperture 250, thereby preventing the first arm 110 of the gripping ring 100 from disengaging from the second end 124 of the second arm 120 of the gripping ring 100. See FIG. 5B.

The locking pin 210 may further comprise a detent 218 formed into its shaft 212. See FIG. 4A. The detent 218 is located proximate to the insertion point 216 of the locking pin 210 and is suitably adapted to engage with the locking pin housing 220. See FIG. 5A. When so engaged, the locking pin 210 is held within the locking pin housing 220 against the biasing tendency of the locking pin spring 230 and the insertion point 216 of the locking pin 210 is outside the second locking aperture 250. When the second end 114 of the first arm 110 of the gripping ring 100 engages with the second end 124 of the second arm 120 of the gripping ring 100, the second end 124 of the second arm 120 strikes the shaft 212 of the locking pin 210 and causes the detent 218 to disengage from the locking pin housing 220. The locking pin spring 230 then moves the locking pin 210 such that the insertion point 216 of the locking pin 210 extends into the second locking aperture 250. This configuration allows for automatically placing the latching mechanism 200 into locked mode when the gripping ring 100 is placed in the closed state.

The latching mechanism 200 may be adapted to be operated remotely to move the locking pin shaft 212 within the locking pin housing 220 away from the gripping ring 100. In one such embodiment, the latching mechanism 200 comprises a release member 260. See FIGS. 4D, 4E, 4F, 5A, and 5B. The release member 260 is substantially planar and has a first end 262, a second end 264, a substantially flat bottom edge 266, and a top edge 268. See FIG. 4D. The top edge 268 is curved such that at the first end 262 of the release member 260 the distance between the top edge 268 and the bottom edge 266 is less than the distance between the top edge 268 and the bottom edge 266 at the second end 264 of the release member 260. The release member 260 may also be wedge shaped, where the top edge 268 is substantially linear, as long as the slope of the top edge 268 rises from the first end 262 to the second end 264 of the release member 260. The release member 260 is placed onto the locking pin housing 220 and interposed between the top of the locking pin housing 220 and the bottom of the head 214 of the locking pin 210, with the bottom edge 266 of the release member 260 adjacent to the locking pin housing 220 and the top edge 268 of the release member 260 adjacent to the head 214 of the locking pin 210. See FIG. 4G. When the release member 260 is moved in a first direction such that the first end 262 of the release member 260 is in the front, the head 214 of the locking pin 210 rides up along the top edge 268 resulting in the locking pin 210 being moved away from the gripping ring 100. When the release member 260 is moved in a second direction opposite the first direction the head 214 of the locking pin 210 rides down along the top edge 268 allowing the locking pin spring 230 to move the locking pin 210 toward the gripping ring 100. See FIG. 5B. The latching mechanism 200 is operated remotely to be placed in the unlocked mode by movement of the release member 260 in the first direction, thereby moving the locking pin shaft 212 within the locking pin housing 220 away from the gripping ring 100 and out of the second aperture. The release member 260 may be moved remotely by use of a string passed through an aperture 280 located proximate to the first end 262 of the release member 260.

In the most preferred embodiment the release member 260 comprises a pair of planar bodies 270, of substantially the same size and configuration, spaced apart from each other by a distance just slightly greater than the diameter of the shaft 212 of the locking pin 210. See FIGS. 4E and 4F. The two planar bodies 270 are attached to each other at either their second ends 264 or their first ends 262 or both, resulting in there being a channel 272 between the two planar bodies 270. The head 214 of the locking pin 210 thus rides along both top edges 268, one on each side of the shaft 212 of the locking pin 210. See FIG. 4G.

The gripping ring 100 has one or more gripping members 300 attached to it. See FIGS. 1 and 2. Each gripping member 300 is attached to the gripping ring 100 on the inside portion of the gripping ring 100, and extends inward into the open interior formed by the gripping ring 100. So configured, the one or more gripping members 300 are directed towards the tree 10 when the gripping ring 100 is placed around the tree 10. The gripping members 300 can be configured in any suitable shape and dimension, provided that they are suitable for engaging with the tree 10. Gripping members 300 may be inwardly oriented spikes, or flanges, or geometric shapes. In the preferred embodiment the gripping members 300 are comprised of one or more substantially triangular teeth 310, each with a base proximate to the gripping ring 100 and the apex oriented inward. In alternative embodiments the teeth 310 may be of different sizes and dimensions; in other embodiments, the teeth 310 are all of substantially the same size and dimension. The gripping members 300 must be rigid and durable, and can be made of any suitable material. In the preferred embodiment it is constructed of steel, though other materials may also be used, such as aluminum, high impact plastic, carbon fiber, composites, and the like. Where the gripping members 300 and the gripping ring 100 are both made of a metallic material, the gripping members 300 may be welded to the gripping ring 100. Alternatively, they may be attached using mechanical fasteners. It is imperative that the gripping members 300 be fixedly attached to the gripping ring 100 and in a nonmoving relation to the gripping ring 100.

In one embodiment the gripping ring 100 comprises four gripping members 300, arranged in two set of two. The first pair of gripping members 300 is attached to the first arm 110 of the gripping ring 100 and located substantially midway between the first end of the first arm 110 and the second end 114 of the first arm 110, with the two gripping members 300 of the first pair being spaced apart from each other. The second pair of gripping members 300 is attached to the second arm 120 of the gripping ring 100 in the same way, located substantially midway between the first end of the second arm 120 and the second end 124 of the second arm 120 and spaced apart from each other. See FIG. 2.

In another embodiment the gripping ring 100 comprises two gripping members 300, with the first gripping member 300 attached to the first arm 110 of the gripping ring 100 and located substantially midway between the first end of the first arm 110 and the second end 114 of the first arm 110, and the second gripping member 300 attached to the second arm 120 of the gripping ring 100 and located substantially midway between the first end of the second arm 120 and the second end 124 of the second arm 120.

In other embodiments the number of gripping members 300 can vary, with different numbers located on the first arm 110 as compared to the second arm 120. In yet other embodiments the gripping members 300 can be adjusted so that they are not in fixed relationship to each other but can be repositioned as needed to better accommodate the specific tree 10 into which the apparatus 1 is to be placed.

The gripping ring 100 has a climbing device attachment component 400 extending outward from the gripping ring 100. The climbing device attachment component 400 is suitably adapted to secure the climbing device 30 to the gripping ring 100. The climbing device attachment component 400 can have any suitable size and configuration. In the preferred embodiment, the climbing device attachment component 400 is a substantially rectangular three sided bracket extending outward from the gripping ring 100. See FIGS. 1 and 2. In other embodiments the climbing device attachment component 400 may be a curved bar or even a pair of hooks or eyelets.

The gripping ring 100 may further comprise a safety tether attachment component 500 located on an outer portion of the gripping ring 100. See FIG. 1. The safety tether attachment component 500 is suitably adapted to secure a safety tether 40 to the gripping ring 100. The climbing device attachment component 400 can have any suitable size and configuration. In the preferred embodiment it is an eyelet.

The gripping ring 100 may further comprise a positioning device attachment component 600 located on an outer portion of the gripping ring 100. See FIG. 1. The positioning device attachment component 600 is suitably adapted to removably attach a positioning device 50 to the gripping ring 100. The positioning device 50 may be any object that allows the gripping ring 100 to be placed in the tree 10, such as a long pole or a pruning hook. The positioning device attachment component 600 can have any suitable size and configuration. In one embodiment it is an open sleeve into which an end of the positioning device 50 may be inserted. In another embodiment the positioning device attachment component 600 is pivotally attached to the gripping ring 100, whereby the positioning device attachment component 600 is suitably adapted to pivot in an upward direction relative to the gripping ring 100, or conversely, for the gripping ring 100 to pivot in a downward direction relative to the positioning device attachment component 600. See FIG. 2. This configuration allows the apparatus to be positioned as desired with the positioning device 50 and then, by means of a tether, the gripping ring 100 can be pulled downward to engage with the tree.

In other embodiments the apparatus 1 further comprises a positioning device adapter. The positioning device adapter is suitably adapted to be removably attached to the positioning device 50, and to further removably attach the positioning device 50 to the gripping ring 100. The use of a positioning device adapter allows one 20 to use virtually any object as a positioning device 50, such as fallen branches. In one embodiment the positioning device adapter comprises a clamp that is capable of securing the positioning device adapter to the positioning device 50, and a flange that is suitably dimensioned to removably engage with the positioning device attachment component 600. In another embodiment the positioning device adapter further includes flanges for engaging with the climbing device attachment component 400, which in said embodiment also acts as a positioning device attachment component 600.

In the preferred embodiments, the apparatus 1 further comprises an anchoring device 800. See FIG. 6. The anchoring device 800 has a first end and a second end, with the first end of the anchoring device 800 being suitably adapted to being attached to the gripping ring 100. The second end of the anchoring device 800 is suitably adapted to being attached to an anchoring object located below the gripping ring 100 when the gripping ring 100 is placed on the tree 10. An anchoring object may include the ground by use of a stake. It may also be a belt cinched around the lower circumference of the tree 10. The anchoring device 800 is capable of maintaining tension between the gripping ring 100 and the anchoring object, ensuring that the gripping ring 100 remains engaged with the tree 10 as the climber 20 ascends the climbing device 30.

Modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments of the apparatus 1 without departing from the subject or spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. An apparatus to be used with an upwardly extending object, said upwardly extending object having a height and a substantially circular cross section, said apparatus suitably adapted to assist with placing a climbing device into said upwardly extending object and securing the climbing device thereto, said apparatus comprising a gripping ring, said gripping ring being substantially rigid and shaped to substantially encircle the upwardly extending object, extending a minimum of 270 degrees, forming an open interior, said gripping ring having one or more gripping members, each said gripping member attached to the gripping ring and extending inward into the open interior formed by the gripping ring, and said gripping ring having a climbing device attachment component, said climbing device attachment component extending outward from the gripping ring and being suitably adapted to secure the climbing device to the gripping ring; whereby the climbing device is attached to the gripping ring at the climbing device attachment component and the gripping ring is placed onto the upwardly extending object such that the gripping ring substantially encircles the upwardly extending object and the one or more gripping members of the gripping ring engage with the upwardly extending object, holding the gripping ring in place on the upwardly extending object.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gripping ring is substantially circular.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gripping ring is comprised of a first arm, a second arm, and a pivot member, said first arm having a first end and a second end and being substantially curved from its first end to its second end such that an inner portion of said first arm is concave, and said second arm having a first end and a second end and being substantially curved from its first end to its second end such that an inner portion of said second arm is concave, and with said first end of said first arm being in pivotal connection by the pivot member with said first end of said second arm, such that the first and second arms are capable of moving in relation to each other.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the gripping ring further comprises a latching mechanism, said latching mechanism suitably adapted to placed in a locked mode and in an unlocked mode, whereby when the latching mechanism is in the locked mode the first and second arms of the gripping ring are maintained in fixed relation to each other, and when the latching mechanism is in the unlocked mode the first and second arms of the gripping ring are able to move in relation to each other, wherein the gripping ring has a closed state and an open state, with the closed state of the gripping ring being an orientation of the first and second arms of the gripping ring such that the second end of the first arm is in closest proximity to the second end of the second arm, and with the open state of the gripping ring being an orientation of the first and second arms of the gripping ring such that the second end of the first arm is further away from the second end of the second arm than when the gripping ring is in the closed state.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the latching mechanism further comprises a means for remotely placing the latching mechanism into the unlocked mode.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the second end of the first arm of the gripping ring engages with the second end of the second arm of the gripping ring when the gripping ring is in the closed state.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the second end of the first arm of the gripping ring has a substantially hollow interior and an end aperture allowing access into said interior, and the second end of the second arm of the gripping ring is suitably adapted to be inserted into the interior of the second end of the first arm through the end aperture of the first arm.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the latching mechanism is automatically placed into locked mode when the gripping ring is placed into the closed state.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the latching mechanism comprises a locking pin, a locking pin housing, a locking pin spring, a first locking aperture, and a second locking aperture, with the locking pin being a substantially rigid and elongate shaft and having a head at a first end of the shaft and an insertion point at a second end of the shaft opposite the first end, the locking pin housing having an open interior suitably adapted to accommodate the shaft of the locking pin within said interior, with the locking pin shaft capable of movement within said interior, the locking pin housing being located on and fixedly attached to the second end of the first arm of the gripping ring, with the head of the locking pin located outside the locking pin housing distal from the gripping ring, the locking pin spring being located within the interior of the locking pin housing and encircling the locking pin such that the locking pin spring biases the locking pin towards the gripping ring, the first locking aperture being formed into the second end of the first arm of the gripping ring, said first locking aperture being located proximate to the locking pin housing and in communication with the interior of the locking pin housing, said first locking aperture being suitably dimensioned to accommodate the insertion point of the locking pin, and the second locking aperture being formed into the second end of the second arm of the gripping ring, said second locking aperture being suitably dimensioned to accommodate the insertion point of the locking pin; whereby the latching mechanism is placed in the locked mode when the second end of the first arm of the gripping ring is engaged with the second end of the second arm of the gripping ring by the locking pin spring moving the locking pin shaft within the locking pin housing towards the gripping ring such that the insertion point of the locking pin extends into and through the first locking aperture and into the second locking aperture, thereby preventing the first arm of the gripping ring from disengaging from the second end of the second arm of the gripping ring, and the latching mechanism is placed in the unlocked mode by movement of the locking pin shaft within the locking pin housing away from the gripping ring such that the insertion point of the locking pin is withdrawn from the second locking aperture, thereby enabling the second end of the first arm of the gripping ring to disengage from the second end of the second arm of the gripping ring.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the latching mechanism is adapted to be operated remotely to move the locking pin shaft within the locking pin housing away from the gripping ring.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the latching mechanism further comprises a release member, said release member being substantially planar and having a first end, a second end, a substantially flat bottom edge, and a top edge, the top edge being located opposite the bottom edge, such that at the first end of the release mechanism the distance between the top edge and the bottom edge is less than the distance between the top edge and the bottom edge at the second end of the release mechanism, with the distance between the top edge and the bottom edge for all points between the first end and second end of the release mechanism being greater than the distance between the top edge and the bottom edge at the first end and less than the distance between the top edge and the bottom edge at the second end, wherein the release member is placed onto the locking pin housing between the locking pin housing and the head of the locking pin, with the bottom edge of the release member proximate to the locking pin housing and the top edge of the release member proximate to the head of the locking pin, such that when the release member is moved in a first direction the head of the locking pin rides up along the top edge resulting in the locking pin being moved away from the gripping ring, and when the release member is moved in a second direction opposite the first direction the head of the locking pin rides down along the top edge allowing the locking pin spring to move the locking pin toward the gripping ring, whereby the latching mechanism is operated remotely to move the locking pin shaft within the locking pin housing away from the gripping ring by movement of the release member in the first direction.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the release member further comprises pair of planar bodies, each said planar body of substantially the same size and configuration as the other, oriented substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other by a distance just slightly greater than a diameter of the shaft of the locking pin, wherein the two planar bodies are attached to each other at their respective ends resulting in there being a channel between the two planar bodies suitably sized to allow the shaft of the locking pin to move within said channel.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the locking pin further comprises a detent, said detent formed into the shaft of the locking pin and located proximate to the insertion point of the locking pin, said detent suitably adapted to engage with the locking pin housing, such that when the detent is engaged with the locking pin housing the locking pin spring is compressed and the insertion point of the locking pin is outside the second locking aperture, and when the second end of the first arm of the gripping ring engages with the second end of the second arm of the gripping ring the detent is disengaged from the locking pin housing and the locking pin spring moves the locking pin such that the insertion point of the locking pin extends into the second locking aperture.
 14. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the second end of the second arm of the gripping ring has a substantially hollow interior and an end aperture allowing access into said interior, and the second end of the first arm of the gripping ring is suitably adapted to be inserted into the interior of the second end of the second arm through the end aperture of the second arm.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the latching mechanism comprises a locking pin, a locking pin housing, a locking pin spring, a first locking aperture, and a second locking aperture, with the locking pin being a substantially rigid and elongate shaft and having a head at a first end of the shaft and an insertion point at a second end of the shaft opposite the first end, the locking pin housing having an open interior suitably adapted to accommodate the shaft of the locking pin within said interior, with the locking pin shaft capable of movement within said interior, the locking pin housing being located on and fixedly attached to the second end of the first arm of the gripping ring, with the head of the locking pin located outside the locking pin housing distal from the gripping ring, the locking pin spring being located within the interior of the locking pin housing and encircling the locking pin such that the locking pin spring biases the locking pin towards the gripping ring, the first locking aperture being formed into the second end of the first arm of the gripping ring, said first locking aperture being located proximate to the locking pin housing and in communication with the interior of the locking pin housing, said first locking aperture being suitably dimensioned to accommodate the insertion point of the locking pin, and the second locking aperture being formed into the second end of the second arm of the gripping ring, said second locking aperture being suitably dimensioned to accommodate the insertion point of the locking pin; whereby the latching mechanism is placed in the locked mode when the second end of the first arm of the gripping ring is engaged with the second end of the second arm of the gripping ring by the locking pin spring moving the locking pin shaft within the locking pin housing towards the gripping ring such that the insertion point of the locking pin extends into and through the first locking aperture and into the second locking aperture, thereby preventing the first arm of the gripping ring from disengaging from the second end of the second arm of the gripping ring, and the latching mechanism is placed in the unlocked mode by movement of the locking pin shaft within the locking pin housing away from the gripping ring such that the insertion point of the locking pin is withdrawn from the second locking aperture, thereby enabling the second end of the first arm of the gripping ring to disengage from the second end of the second arm of the gripping ring.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the latching mechanism is adapted to be operated remotely to move the locking pin shaft within the locking pin housing away from the gripping ring.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the latching mechanism further comprises a release member, said release member being substantially planar and having a first end, a second end, a substantially flat bottom edge, and a top edge, the top edge being located opposite the bottom edge, such that at the first end of the release mechanism the distance between the top edge and the bottom edge is less than the distance between the top edge and the bottom edge at the second end of the release mechanism, with the distance between the top edge and the bottom edge for all points between the first end and second end of the release mechanism being greater than the distance between the top edge and the bottom edge at the first end and less than the distance between the top edge and the bottom edge at the second end, wherein the release member is placed onto the locking pin housing between the locking pin housing and the head of the locking pin, with the bottom edge of the release member proximate to the locking pin housing and the top edge of the release member proximate to the head of the locking pin, such that when the release member is moved in a first direction the head of the locking pin rides up along the top edge resulting in the locking pin being moved away from the gripping ring, and when the release member is moved in a second direction opposite the first direction the head of the locking pin rides down along the top edge allowing the locking pin spring to move the locking pin toward the gripping ring, whereby the latching mechanism is operated remotely to move the locking pin shaft within the locking pin housing away from the gripping ring by movement of the release member in the first direction.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the release member further comprises pair of planar bodies, each said planar body of substantially the same size and configuration as the other, oriented substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other by a distance just slightly greater than a diameter of the shaft of the locking pin, wherein the two planar bodies are attached to each other at their respective ends resulting in there being a channel between the two planar bodies suitably sized to allow the shaft of the locking pin to move within said channel.
 19. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the locking pin further comprises a detent, said detent formed into the shaft of the locking pin and located proximate to the insertion point of the locking pin, said detent suitably adapted to engage with the locking pin housing, such that when the detent is engaged with the locking pin housing the locking pin spring is compressed and the insertion point of the locking pin is outside the second locking aperture, and when the second end of the first arm of the gripping ring engages with the second end of the second arm of the gripping ring the detent is disengaged from the locking pin housing and the locking pin spring moves the locking pin such that the insertion point of the locking pin extends into the second locking aperture.
 20. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the gripping ring further comprises a ring spring and a retention assembly, said ring spring connected to the first arm of the gripping ring proximate to the first end of the first arm of the gripping ring, said ring spring suitably adapted to bias the second end of the first arm toward the second end of the second arm, thereby moving the second ends of the first and second arms relative to each other, placing the gripping ring in the closed state, and said retention assembly located on an outer surface of the gripping ring, said retention assembly suitably adapted to hold the first arm of the gripping ring in fixed relation to the second arm of the gripping ring, thereby overcoming the biasing tendency of the ring spring and holding the gripping ring in the open state, and said retention assembly further adapted to release the first arm from the second arm, thereby permitting the ring spring to move the second ends of the first and second arms of the gripping ring relative to each other.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the ring spring comprises a first end and a second end, with the first end of the ring spring connected to the first arm of the gripping ring proximate to the first end of the first arm of the gripping ring and the second end of the ring spring removably attached to the second arm of the gripping ring proximate to the first end of the second arm of the gripping ring.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the second end of the ring spring is suitably adapted to be removably attached to an inner attachment point located on the inner portion of the second arm of the gripping ring to bias the second end of the first arm of the gripping ring toward the second end of the second arm of the gripping ring, and the second end of the ring spring is suitably adapted to be removably attached to an outer attachment point located on an outer portion of the second arm of the gripping ring to bias the second end of the first arm of the gripping ring away from the second end of the second arm of the gripping ring.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the gripping ring further comprises a spring tensioner, said spring tensioner being in connection with the ring spring and being suitably adapted to either increase or decrease the tension of the ring spring, such that when the tension in the ring spring is increased the ring spring exerts a greater biasing tendency and when the tension in the ring spring is decreased the ring spring exerts less biasing tendency, enabling easier removal and attachment of the second end of the ring spring to the second arm of the gripping ring.
 24. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the retention assembly is adapted to be operated remotely to release the first arm from the second arm.
 25. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the retention assembly comprises a hook and eye, with the hook attached to an outer portion of the first arm of the gripping ring and the eye attached to an outer portion of the second arm of the gripping ring, with the hook having an end suitably adapted to removably engage with the eye.
 26. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the one or more gripping members comprises one or more substantially triangular teeth, with the apex of each triangular tooth oriented inward into the open interior formed by the gripping ring.
 27. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the gripping ring comprises four gripping members, with a first pair of gripping members being attached to the first arm of the gripping ring and located substantially midway between the first end of the first arm and the second end of the first arm, the two gripping members of the first pair being spaced apart from each other, and a second pair of gripping members being attached to the second arm of the gripping ring and located substantially midway between the first end of the second arm and the second end of the second arm, the two gripping members of the second pair being spaced apart from each other.
 28. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the gripping ring comprises two gripping members, with a first gripping member being attached to the first arm of the gripping ring and located substantially midway between the first end of the first arm and the second end of the first arm, and a second gripping member being attached to the second arm of the gripping ring and located substantially midway between the first end of the second arm and the second end of the second arm, wherein the first gripping member is positionable such that it is capable of either being positioned towards the second gripping member or being positioned away from the second gripping member.
 29. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the climbing device attachment component is a substantially rectangular three sided bracket extending outward from the gripping ring.
 30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the climbing device attachment component is pivotally attached to the gripping ring, whereby the climbing device attachment component is suitably adapted to pivot in an upward direction relative to the gripping ring.
 31. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gripping ring further comprises a safety tether attachment component located on an outer portion of the gripping ring, said safety tether attachment component suitably adapted to secure a safety tether to the gripping ring.
 32. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gripping ring further comprises a positioning device attachment component located on an outer portion of the gripping ring, said positioning device attachment component suitably adapted to removably attach a positioning device to the gripping ring.
 33. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a positioning device adapter, said positioning device adapter suitably adapted to be removably attached to a positioning device, and said positioning device adapter further suitably adapted to removably attach the positioning device to the gripping ring.
 34. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an anchoring device, said anchoring device having a first end and an second end, said first end of the anchoring device being suitably adapted to being attached to the gripping ring, said second end of the anchoring device being suitably adapted to being attached to an anchoring object located below the gripping ring when the gripping ring is placed on the upwardly extending object, whereby the anchoring device is capable of maintaining tension between the gripping ring and the anchoring object. 